Ventilating apparatus



Oct. 18, 1949E A. M. BROWN ET AL VENTILATING APPARATUS Filed Nov. l2, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. M. BROWN ET Al. 2,485,356

VENTILATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 18, 1949.

med Nov. 12, .1947

Patented Oct. 18, 1949 VENTILATING APPARATUS Aldrich Brown and MichaelL. Mascia, MontgomerLAla.

Application November 12, 1947, 'Serial N o. '785,404

(Cl. E30-114) .l2 Claims.

The invention relates to Ventilating and vone of `the fob'ects of the invention is to provi-'de san apparatus which is .extremely .simple in .fc'onstruction and inexpensive in manufacture.

Another roba'ect foi 'the `invention 'isfto provide a ventilator which, though it may be used Wherever desired, yet is particularly `adapted to use in low 'attics A 'further .object of .the invention is to provide a ventilator embodying. .a 'centrifugal fan or'puinp, by reason of which the fair is delivered laterally, and by `reason of which, in manufacturing ventilators :of 'differenltvoiume it is only necessary to employ blades :of different Still another lobject :of the invention is to provide a ventilator :embodying a lcentrifugal atan or pump foombination 'with :means operated by the laterally delivered :aiir '.for controlling louvers.

A 'further yobject of the invention is'to provide a lnovel louver larrangement fby which the lduvers initialily lgive a whirling .action tothe :air the direction in which the tian is rotating.

Another object tof theinvention is to provide a ventilator which will -aord protection laga-inst rain and snow; and which verltiiattu'7 while particulalr-ls7 adapted `to outdoor use, 'yet is .so lsimple in construction that it provides a single unit'which is Aadapl'fed to :either indoor or :outdoor use.

Various other objects and :advantages of the invention ybe apparent to those :skilled `in the art, from the following detailed description when taken inconnection with the laccompanying drawings, `in which: l

Figure `1 is a vertical .sectionaiviewfof the yapparatus, shown `as .mounted -in -a low. attic;

Figure 2 a plan view of .the apparatus, parts being broken I.av/Tay to :more :clearly :show 4the construction;

Fig-.ure 3 is a broken away horizontal -fsectional view taken on line 3-'3 of Figure l;

Figure f4 is .a vertical :sec-tional View -oi another forrn vof the invention, particularly adapted t-for outside use;

.Figure 5 is a .planvieWo-f the dorm -oi' the apparatus vshown in Figure 4., with :par-ts vvbroken away to :more clearly show the construction; and

. Figure 6 is a .detail view furtherillustrating the louver operatmg mechanismA shown in :connection with both forms of the invention.

Referring to the drawings in more detail, and particularly to Figure l, numeral 1 indicates an opening provided in .the ceiling of 4a vroom .beheath an attic 2, which in this particular instance is very low, as is quite common. In Figure 4 a :similar opening 3 is provided in the roof 2 of a house or Iother ibuilding to be ventilated. Of course, the ventilators of the present invention are adapted for use Wherever desired, `and the drawings merely illustrate two adaptations.

Numeral 1ill'refers to the 'ventilator casing ywhich is mounted over the openings mentioned, and which may be provided at its base with an outwardlsy extending flange `5 for `mounting purposes.

Numeral '6 indicates a vertical shaft which in the specific embodiments illustrated is journaled for tree rotation in vertically spa-ced spiders 1 attached to the casing '4. Fixed to the shaft is a pulley?! driven 'by Aa belt 9 leading from a motor Il! mounted in the casing. Of course, the means for mounting anddriving the shaft may be varied as desired.

The upper end of the shaft 6 carries va centrifugal fan or pump 'I l comprising ian blades I?. which may beef variable number and width. Above the .fan blades is a rplate or disc I3 extending the full length of vthe blades. `This .plate rotates With the fan and therefore it is .preferably made integral with the blades.

A fanof this character .operates noiselessly and discharges .the .air laterally, is a very distinct advantage in low attics, as illustrated in Figure 17 as distinguished from the screw type of i fan which discharges the -air directly again-st a low .attic root. And further, it Will be understood that in different installations requiring difieren-t Volume discharge, it is only .necessary to change the Width of the nfan blades; the remainder of the Ventilator remaining` the same, except vof course that in some installations motors of different power would be required.

The invention Aincludes in combination with the centrifugal .ian Aa mechanism controlled lby the .laterally discharged .air for yoperating the louvers,

and :also .an improved arrangement ci the .louvers, howto :be described.

Arranged around the periphery of the centrifugal fan are a number of lanimate plates M; four of these plates being shown .in the forms illustrated. Each plate has .one end free, to permit .a A,swinging action, land. the other end is secured to a rod or shaft l5 .extending downwardly through the ventilator casingl. The shafts are mounted in appropriate bearings.- such as indicated .by numerals 4lli :and .l1 in Figure f6, and a collar .t8 secured to the shaft, above the bearing Il, determines the verticalposit-ion :of the shaft; the .position being such thata slight @clearance is provided between the .lower edges -of the arcuate.

3 plates I4 and the top or inturned ange portion I9 of the Ventilating casing.

Secured to the lower end of each shaft is a crank arm 2D having a longitudinally extending slot 2l provided therein. A pin 22 is mounted in the slot of each crank arm, and each pin carries at its lower end a rod 23. Each rod is connected by short links 2A to the louvers 25 of the particular set it is to operate. Coil springs 26, connected to the crank arms 2t, are provided to move the arcuate plates I4 to position closely surrounding the periphery of the fan II and at the same time close the louvers 25.

It will be understood that in both forms of the invention, when the centrifugal fan or pump is started, the lateral discharge of the air is directly against the arcuate plates I4, and hence these plates will be swung outwardly, as indicated by dotted lines in Figures 1, 2, 4 and 5, by the positive air pressure to instantly open the louvers 25 by the mechanical connections between the arcuate plates and the louvers. And of course, when the fan motor is stopped the springs 2B close the louvers and move the arcuate plates back to their original positions by the same mechanical connections.

The frame for the louvers, mounted beneath the opening in the ceiling or roof, or wherever the ventilator may be positioned, is indicated by numeral 27, and it will be noted. particularly by reference to Figure 3, that the frame is constructed to provide four openings, and of course the louvers are pivotally mounted in the frame to control the four openings. And as previously described, there are four operating mechanisms for opening and closing the four sets of louvers.

As clearly shown in Figure 3, the louvers of each set are arranged at an angle to the adjacent sets of louvers; the angle being 90 degrees in the embodiment illustrated. This louver arrangement very materially improves the appearance of the device, and also facilitates the operation of the louvers, but the main purpose is to start the air circulating in the direction of rotation of the fan or pump. As indicated by the arrows in Figure 3, air rushing in through each of the four sets of tilted louvers must turn to the left, and of course this sets up a column of air which is swirling left before it reaches the fan II which is rotating in a counterclockwise direction, as indicated by arrows in Figures 2 and 5. By reversing the louvers the incoming air would be made to circulate to the right, in case a fan rotating clockwise were employed.

The apparatus described up to this point is common to both forms of the invention. Both forms of the invention may be employed wherever desired indoors, but the form shown in Figures 4 and 5 is particularly designed for use outdoors, and the manner in which this form differs structurally from the form of Figures 1 and 2 will now be described.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the top or inturned flange I9 of the ventilator casing i is provided with an upstanding annular flange or collar 28. In the specic form illustrated this collar ends at just about the plane of the lowered edges of the fan blades I2, and of course the air will be centrifugally discharged through the space between the upper edge of the collar and the bottom of the disc or plate I3 rotating with the fan.

Also, the disc or plate I3 is provided at its periphery with an annular downwardly extending iiange or collar 29. This preferably extends downwardly a substantial distance below the upper edge of the upstanding flange or collar 28. as clearly shown in Figure 4. But it will also b e noticed that the flange 29 terminates well above the top I9 of the ventilator casing, to permit the lateral discharge of the air directly against the arcuate plates I4 to operate the louvers.

Thus when this form of the invention is employed outdoors, as on a roof, the stationary collar 28 and the rotating collar 29 will function as baflies to make it practically impossible for rain or snow to enter. As previously mentioned, this form, which is extremely simple in construction, possesses the further advantage that a single form of construction can be used either indoors or outdoors.

The operation will be clearly understood from the foregoing description of the structures. In either form, when the motor is started the centrifugal fan will discharge the air laterally, which is particularly desirable when used in low attics. And further, by the use of this centrifugal fan or pump, any desired volume of air discharge can be obtained by merely using fan blades of different width and without making other changes in the construction, except to use a diierent size motor where necessary.

The laterally discharged air impinges directly on the arcuate plates I4, and there is thus provided a positive air pressure to move the plates, and by a mechanical connection to therebyv open the louvers. These louvers are preferably arranged to start the air circulating in the direction of rotation of the fan, before it reaches the fan, as previously described. Of course the springs 26 will close the louvers and return the arcuate plates to their original position when the motor is switched off to stop the fan.

And by the provision of the cooperating bales 2.8 and 29 the entrance of rain or snow is prevented, thereby providing a ventilator which is particularly adapted to outdoor use, but which is also very simple and inexpensive and thus provides a single unit which may be used either indoors or outdoors.

Having fully described the invention, what we claim is:

l. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a disc covering the upper side of the fan, an arcuate movable plate adjacent the periphery of the fan, said plate so positioned that the air discharged laterally from the centrifugal fan will impinge directly thereon, louvers at the entrance end of the ventilator casing, and a mechanical connection between the movable plate and the louvers to open the louvers when the fan is operated.

2. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a disc covering the upper side of the fan, a plurality of arcuate movable plates surrounding the periphery of the fan, said plates so positioned that the air discharged laterally from the centrifugal fan will impinge directly on the arcuate plates, a plurality of sets of louvers at the entrance end of the ventilator casing, and a mechanical connection between each movable plate and a set of louvers to open the louvers of each set when the fan is operated.

3. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a disc covering the upper side of the fan, a plurality of movable members adjacent said fan and operated by the direct pressure of air discharged laterally by said centrifugal fan, a plurality of sets of louvers at the entrance end of the venilator casing, and a mechanical connection between each of said movable members and a set of louvers to open the louvers when the fan is operated.

4. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a movable member adjacent the fan and operated by the direct pressure of air discharged laterally by said centrifugal fan, louvers associated with the ventilator, said louvers arranged to direct the inilowing air in the same circular direction as the direction of rotation of the fan, and a mechanical connection between said movable member and the louvers by which the louvers are opened when the fan is operated.

5. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a plurality of sets of louvers associated with the ventilator, and said sets of louvers so arranged with respect to each other as to cooperate to direct the inflowing air in the same circular direction as the direction of rotation of the fan.

6. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a plurality of sets of louvers associated with the ventilator, said sets of louvers so arranged with respect to each other as to cooperate to direct the inflowing air in the same circular direction as the direction of rotation of the fan, and means by which the louvers are opened when the fan is operated.

7. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a shaft, an arcuate movable member in the path of air discharged laterally by said centrifugal fan, said member having one end secured to said shaft, whereby movement of said member will rotate the shaft, louvers at the entrance end of the ventilator casing, and an operative connection between said louvers and said shaft to open the, louvers when the fan is operated. l

8. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a plurality of shafts, a plurality of movable members in the path of air discharged laterally by said centrifugal fan, said members having one end secured to said shafts, whereby movement of said members will rotate the shafts, a plurality of sets of louvers associated with the ventilator, and operative connections between the sets of louvers and the shafts.

9. A ventilator including a casing, a centrifugal fan associated with the casing, a plurality of shafts, a plurality of movable members in the path of air discharged laterally by said centrifugal fan, said members having one end secured to said shafts, whereby movement of said members will rotate the shafts, a plurality of sets of louvers associated with the ventilator, and operative connections between the sets of louvers and the shafts, and said sets of louvers arranged to direct the incoming air in the same circular direction as the direction of rotation of the fan.

10. A ventilator including a casing, a top for the casing having an opening, a centrifugal fan associated with the opening, a disc covering the top of the fan and rotating therewith, a collar depending from the periphery of said disc to baille the entrance of rain or snow, said baffle terminating above the said top of the casing to provide an annular passage for the discharge of air, a movable member adjacent said annular discharge opening, louvers` associated with the ventilator, and means operated by said movable member to open the louvers.

11. A ventilator including a casing, a top for the casing having an opening, an upstanding collar surrounding said opening, a centrifugal fan associated with the opening, a disc covering the top of the fan and rotating therewith, a collar depending from said disc and terminating above the said top of the casing to provide an annular passage for the discharge of air, said upstanding collar and said depending collar being in spaced overlapping relation to baille the entrance of rain or snow, a movable member adjacent said annular discharge opening, louvers associated with the ventilator, and means operated by said movable member to open the louvers.

12. A ventilator inccluding a casing, a top for the casing having an opening, an upstanding collar surrounding said opening, a centrifugal fan associated with the opening, a disc covering the top of the fan, a collar depending from the periphery of said disc and terminating above the said top of the casing to provide an annular passage for the discharge of air, said upstanding collar and said depending collar being in spaced overlapping relation to baille the entrance of rain or snow, a plurality of movable members adjacent said annular discharge opening, a plurality of sets of louvers associated with the ventilator, said movable members being operatively connected with the sets of louvers, and the sets of louvers arranged to direct the incoming air in the same circular direction as the direction of rotation of the fan.

ALDRICH M. BROWN. MICHAEL L. MASCIA,

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 826,869 Ortmann July 24, 1906 1,990,778 Dodd Feb. 12, 1935 2,050,700 Hagen Aug. 11, 1936 2,141,923 McMahan Dec. 27, 1938 2,153,604 Wheeler Apr. 11, 1939 2,157,609 Hopkins May 9, 1939 2,214,246 Finnigan Sept. 10, 1940 

